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MUP Europe or Canada?

Submitted by globalone on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 13:18.

U.S. schools are expensive considering that planning is not the most lucrative field.

I am considering alternatives in Europe and Canada and welcome advice regarding employment opportunities in the U.S. and internationally with foreign degrees. Specifically, the double degree in Urban Policy at Sciences Po (Paris) and LSE (London) - both very prestigious schools. How does the US see graduates from these schools vs graduates from American schools? MUP programs seem more common in the US than abroad. Ideally, I would like to work in the realm of international development.

In Canada, it looks like only one program is accredited in the US - at UBC in Vancouver. Surprisingly, neither U of T nor McGill are accredited outside of Canada. I myself am a aCanadian citize working in the US and would like to have the option of coming back here after my degree.

Any ideas on a good choice?

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Good Luck in your Canadian search.

Submitted by JP1985 on Sun, 10/17/2010 - 18:26.

Ben Patience

I am an American living/staying in Montreal. I got my Masters in City Planning from Boston University in May of 2009. In order to find work as a Planner, (in your own country that is) you have to network, intern, get involved with group events, etc. I cannot emphasize that enough! In most cases the degree alone will not get you a job. This is regardless of where you went to school and how good your grades were. Considering you don't already know anyone in Calgary, and at best you'd only be looking at entry level employment your odds of finding an employer willing to sponsor you aren't in your favor.

I am in Montreal awaiting sponsorship from my Domestic Partner, who's Canadian. In the meantime I still work for for the same (non-planning related) US company I worked for prior to receiving my planning degree, and commute across the border 3x a month. When I achieve residency status, I'll be putting considerable effort into what I just told you, networking, interning, etc.

You'd probably be better off putting your efforts into finding Planning work in the US. Then if after a few years you and your girlfriend are still together and you still want to move to Calagry, you'd probably have a better shot at finding work/sponsorship up there based upon your US experience.

Best of luck to you.

european training is of little value in US "planning environment

Submitted by kent mccoy on Sat, 09/25/2010 - 05:53.

I lived and worked outside of the US as a landscape architect for ten years and found that what I consider very superior ways of building cities there is viewed as "socialist mindwarp" back here in fragmented,dysfunctional, blah, urban america.

By all means go and learn how it's really done but don't ever expect to apply in this system.

kent mccoy bsla rla
registered landscape architect
www.kentmccoy.com
http://floridaconed.blogspot.com/

New "Governing the Large Metropolis" Masters at Sciences Po

Submitted by pichot on Thu, 09/02/2010 - 13:32.

I have the same question. I'm also wondering what anyone has heard about the new English-taught Masters in Urban Governance at Science Po.

Same question!

Submitted by RDB on Sat, 09/26/2009 - 11:34.

Hi globalone

I am wondering the exact same thing. Would love to do the Sciences Po/LSE program but I'm American and fear it would be a waste of time and that the MUP/MCP route would be more useful as far as jobs. I'd be happy to hear what you think!

Thanks

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